The System. The Reality. The Solution.

Honoring and Protecting the Lives of Black Trans Women

Friday, September 21

9:00 am - 11:30 am   

 Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel | Wilson A, B & C

Washington, DC

On Friday, September 21, the National Black Justice Coalition's (NBJC) 3rd annual  OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leadership Summit will feature an unprecedented briefing of prominent Black trans women who are activists, media personalities and experts as they discuss why it is important to be intentional about including the "T" as we develop the national Black LGBT agenda.

Moderated by Laverne Cox, trans activist, producer and actress, the purpose of this town hall is to discuss the current state of the Black trans community - specifically as it reflects the current policies of our government, the social climate of our nation and the lived experiences of Black trans women. Attendees will leave with an understanding of the systems in place as well as resources available and actions to take in order to see substantial progress in this community.

The Black and civil rights communities are shamefully silent when victims of violence are both Black and transgender. Stories like hate crime survivor  CeCe McDonald's represent a larger system of violence and institutional biases. Her case is part of an ongoing string of attacks and mass murders against trans women of color. (Read The Root's Transgender Deaths: Where Is the Outcry? where three LGBT-rights advocates, including the National Black Justice Coalition's Sharon Lettman-Hicks, urge the Department of Justice to investigate the killings of Black transgender women.)

"The disproportionate injustice that so many Black trans women face happens because our lives are not valued on a mass scale," says Cox.

But even in the midst of adversity, this community of resilient, powerful sisters has managed to come together and demand a seat at the table.

"I am so excited about the opportunity NBJC has extended to me to lead a discussion with a group of such accomplished, dynamic Black trans women," adds Cox. "Our talk promises to advance the conversation of celebrating and loving Blacktrans womanhood as a revolutionary act."